Fishing village pays tribute to founder

THUA THIEN-HUE (VNS)— People in the coastal Thai Duong Ha village in Thua Thien-Hue Province held a ceremony yesterday in memory of the village's founder.

Five hundred years ago, Truong Thieu, a man from Thanh Hoa Province, arrived there, formed the village and taught the local people how to fish and make fishing boats. The villagers hold a ceremony every three years on the 12th day of the lunar new year to thank him for teaching them fishing.

The ceremony is part of a festival which began on Monday for the entertainment of the local people and to wish for a bumper fish catch in the new year.

The festival includes music performances, re-enactment of fishing and selling of fish on the seaside, a boat race and a procession in which 102 families take part.

The procession carries the locals' offerings around the village so that their patron saint can have a look at the current life.

According to Ton That Ninh, the village chief, the festival also gives courage to the local fishermen in overcoming difficulties during sea trips. — VNS